Peter, thank you for that wonderful video. How fortunate for all of us that you were able to document Norm's life long passion through his magnificent layout. What history - How beautifully laid out by your video and Norm's narrative. I watched the video then saw the notice of his passing. 20 minutes ago I did not know this man existed... Now I am typing this with a tear in my eye. Well done...
norm was a true craftsman i only wish i had the skills this man possessed i have a lotta trains mostly post war but my trains dont compare imagine being a kid n this was ur dad or grand pa thanks for sharing this with us
That was without a doubt the best train video I have seen. I know a guy like Norm who was a lifelong craftsman. It's sad to hear of his passing but it seems he was able to really persue a life long passion that a lot of folks do not get to realize. Thanks for sharing the video. -TM
How wonderful is this layout, and all that fine work that was able to be shared with us here. I really enjoyed seeing the Eastern equipment he had, and especially the Pennsy T-1. If you're watching Norm, I want to thank you for the tour. And of course, Thank You to PeterinPa.
Amazing history, beautiful engineering, tastefully laid out.
The most beautiful train setup I’ve seen. I know many of them are beautiful, but there’s something I really like about this one. Wonderful straight away with awesome perspective, slow banking corners, unbelievable history and dedication. Wow!
Thank you for saving a part of Norm on this video. I have been in this hobby for 40+ years, and when you meet someone like Norm you just want to sit and listen to the history and the stories they have because you know once they have passed on their knowledge is likely lost for eternity. R.I.P.
I was fortunate enough to know Norm and operate his wonderful railroad. Actually, I was a guest on more than one occasion. Norm was a perfect gentleman and a hall of fame modeler. RIP.
It is with great sadness that I must report that Norm passed away on Jan 7, 2012. He was a great person and a wonderful modeler. It was my pleasure to meet with him on several occasions. A life long railroader he had a million stories, all were interesting. Rest in Peace Norm.
I really love seeing these old school modelers and their work . These kind of guys define what model railroading is truly about . I could spend days admiring this gentleman's work. Thans for having the foresight to document this wonderful man's work .
those are wounderful looking engines for custom built i like the prr 4-4-4-4 T1 he has i wish lionel had made one in the postwar or even the mpc era im realy only into lionel trains that were made in the us lionel sold out around the 2000 to china and they have made some realy nice looking engines but there way over priced and theres been more then a few issues with the engines from the time there new i like prewar & postwar trains the best there made much better and can be easily repaired
thank you for sharing this wonderful man and his lifetime joy in building this amazing layout. Do you happen to know if the John Wilkes made by MTH or Weaver. I would love to find one, it is an elegant one. thanks. Norm
Norman I hope that you are now better.It´s a pitty that you have disasembled such a beautiful layout. Thank you for allowed me to see such a beautifull layout.
just like my father a sweet man, see what me and my dear friend sinatra and me did in our home on face book phil ambros it could be yours ? mr drums phil ambros of sinatra and friends..................see the frank sinatra room, let me know, info , worldclassdrummerphilambros@gmail.com good luck
Pete please tell Norm that his love for model railroading is still alive and well!!! I really enjoyed watching this video documenting the great history, passion, and awesome craftmanship of the early model train builders! Thanks again and have a great one! Bill
He was getting up in age and his health was starting to go down hill so he decided rather than leaving this huge layout for his kids to have to deal with he would take it down. It's been down for a coulpe of years and everything was sold execpt for a couple of pieces he wanted to keep. I'm happy to say he's still kicking though!
The NYC Hudson has a New York Society of Model Engineers boxcar behind it. Very significant because the NYSME pioneered the O scale 2 rail as an NMRA standard.
That is O-scale 2 Rail, not HO. Most, if not all, of those engines are brass, from a variety of importers. I recognize the Reading G series and cars as SGL. The K-4 is either US Hobbies or maybe the Sunset High Iron. Not sure which importer made the NYC J.
@1macgeorge O "gauge" 3-rail runs on AC and isn't necessarily scale sized. O "Scale" is 1:48, runs on 2-rail DC or DCC -- both requiring higher current limits than H.O because they're 82% larger and much heavier. This layout is indeed O Scale. BTW, "gauge" refers to the distance between the rails; "scale" refers to the proportion with respect to the prototype.
Peter, thank you for that wonderful video. How fortunate for all of us that you were able to document Norm's life long passion through his magnificent layout. What history - How beautifully laid out by your video and Norm's narrative. I watched the video then saw the notice of his passing. 20 minutes ago I did not know this man existed... Now I am typing this with a tear in my eye. Well done...
newworldimage 14 hours ago
norm was a true craftsman i only wish i had the skills this man possessed i have a lotta trains mostly post war but my trains dont compare imagine being a kid n this was ur dad or grand pa thanks for sharing this with us
larry20021 2 weeks ago
That was without a doubt the best train video I have seen. I know a guy like Norm who was a lifelong craftsman. It's sad to hear of his passing but it seems he was able to really persue a life long passion that a lot of folks do not get to realize. Thanks for sharing the video. -TM
tmackinator 1 month ago
How wonderful is this layout, and all that fine work that was able to be shared with us here. I really enjoyed seeing the Eastern equipment he had, and especially the Pennsy T-1. If you're watching Norm, I want to thank you for the tour. And of course, Thank You to PeterinPa.
Starfield1959 1 month ago
Amazing history, beautiful engineering, tastefully laid out.
The most beautiful train setup I’ve seen. I know many of them are beautiful, but there’s something I really like about this one. Wonderful straight away with awesome perspective, slow banking corners, unbelievable history and dedication. Wow!
Thankyou for sharing.
KittyKittaw 1 month ago
Thank you for saving a part of Norm on this video. I have been in this hobby for 40+ years, and when you meet someone like Norm you just want to sit and listen to the history and the stories they have because you know once they have passed on their knowledge is likely lost for eternity. R.I.P.
manthony1956 1 month ago
As a friend from church, I never got to see this layout but he told me about it many times. Rest in peace Norm.
BikerBill1150 1 month ago
I was fortunate enough to know Norm and operate his wonderful railroad. Actually, I was a guest on more than one occasion. Norm was a perfect gentleman and a hall of fame modeler. RIP.
penncentralpete 1 month ago
What an amazing man and modeler, rest in peace.
aocruiser 1 month ago
It is with great sadness that I must report that Norm passed away on Jan 7, 2012. He was a great person and a wonderful modeler. It was my pleasure to meet with him on several occasions. A life long railroader he had a million stories, all were interesting. Rest in Peace Norm.
PeterInPa 1 month ago in playlist Uploaded videos
RIP Mr. Cole you were an amazing modeler!
GunMetalJeep45 1 month ago
Awesome.
janisjade1 2 months ago
I really love seeing these old school modelers and their work . These kind of guys define what model railroading is truly about . I could spend days admiring this gentleman's work. Thans for having the foresight to document this wonderful man's work .
prydonian460 2 months ago
Amazing video and layout, thanks for posting it!
kgtrains 2 months ago
those are wounderful looking engines for custom built i like the prr 4-4-4-4 T1 he has i wish lionel had made one in the postwar or even the mpc era im realy only into lionel trains that were made in the us lionel sold out around the 2000 to china and they have made some realy nice looking engines but there way over priced and theres been more then a few issues with the engines from the time there new i like prewar & postwar trains the best there made much better and can be easily repaired
grizzleybearz282004 2 months ago
thank you for sharing this wonderful man and his lifetime joy in building this amazing layout. Do you happen to know if the John Wilkes made by MTH or Weaver. I would love to find one, it is an elegant one. thanks. Norm
norm108 3 months ago
Wow.... all these scratchbuilt engines form the 30s run better than most of the conventional engines today
MassDprod 3 months ago
What a fabulous layout. All of the trains run like a clock also.
bowler811 3 months ago
Very nice layout!
CJRrailroad 3 months ago
If anything is art... Then this handbuilt stuff is... I would have to take my hats to all of you who build these kind of things by HAND...
Don't let anyone take it away from you, while you may not be in a gallery, it IS ART, of both precision and detail.
CMDRSweeper 3 months ago
Norman I hope that you are now better.It´s a pitty that you have disasembled such a beautiful layout. Thank you for allowed me to see such a beautifull layout.
All the best for you and Pete.
Regards from Portugal.
Alvaro Sousa
ampeso 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
just like my father a sweet man, see what me and my dear friend sinatra and me did in our home on face book phil ambros it could be yours ? mr drums phil ambros of sinatra and friends..................see the frank sinatra room, let me know, info , worldclassdrummerphilambros@gmail.com good luck
MrDrumsPhilAmbros 4 months ago
I enjoyed this! I hope I can be like Norm I started when I was 10, and I help I'm going strong till Im his age!
arndtnew3 5 months ago
Just fantastic.
solidwriter 5 months ago
the whole layout is beautiful =]
CSX8663 8 months ago
that 634 is beautiful
CSX8663 8 months ago
Pete please tell Norm that his love for model railroading is still alive and well!!! I really enjoyed watching this video documenting the great history, passion, and awesome craftmanship of the early model train builders! Thanks again and have a great one! Bill
byates59 8 months ago
He was getting up in age and his health was starting to go down hill so he decided rather than leaving this huge layout for his kids to have to deal with he would take it down. It's been down for a coulpe of years and everything was sold execpt for a couple of pieces he wanted to keep. I'm happy to say he's still kicking though!
PeterInPa 10 months ago
What did Norm do with all the trains? Are they for sale?
eatysoony 10 months ago
Comment removed
eatysoony 10 months ago
The NYC Hudson has a New York Society of Model Engineers boxcar behind it. Very significant because the NYSME pioneered the O scale 2 rail as an NMRA standard.
NJTrainSET 11 months ago
Nice layout and video.
needtopickaname 1 year ago
Really enjoyed viewing this piece of O scale history. thanks.
cug6 1 year ago
Terrific O scale railroad
I am a big fan of the READING & PENNSY
thank you for sharing
it is just magnificant
rancocaskid 1 year ago
Great history behind the locomotives and rolling stock. Sad the layout had to be dismantled. Thanks for posting.
AGHRMatt 1 year ago
Comment removed
brownclc 1 year ago
do you have dc and that is ho my o gauge trains have 3 rails ho has 2.
1macgeorge 1 year ago
@1macgeorge
That is O-scale 2 Rail, not HO. Most, if not all, of those engines are brass, from a variety of importers. I recognize the Reading G series and cars as SGL. The K-4 is either US Hobbies or maybe the Sunset High Iron. Not sure which importer made the NYC J.
brownclc 1 year ago
@brownclc
Now that I watch this with sound, in fact, most of the engines I don't recognize were scratch built. Very impressive!
brownclc 1 year ago
@1macgeorge O "gauge" 3-rail runs on AC and isn't necessarily scale sized. O "Scale" is 1:48, runs on 2-rail DC or DCC -- both requiring higher current limits than H.O because they're 82% larger and much heavier. This layout is indeed O Scale. BTW, "gauge" refers to the distance between the rails; "scale" refers to the proportion with respect to the prototype.
AGHRMatt 1 year ago